IT was an embarrassment, made worse by the fact it was screened live on Sky Sports.

Oxford United’s 5-1 humbling at Cambridge United in October was this season’s lowest point, but Michael Appleton’s main emotion when he reflects on the defeat now is gratitude.

While that may sound ridiculous, the head coach believes the jolt it gave the club means it is one of the most important results of the campaign.

“I joke to the staff now – and please take this with a pinch of salt – it was the best thing that happened to us,” he said.

“It made me think quicker, clearer and act more precisely than I would have done if we’d lost the game 2-1.

“Regardless whether you’re a manager, coach or player, every now and again something happens that puts things into perspective.

“You start looking a little bit deeper than you would under normal circumstances.

“It was a long trip back home for me after the Cambridge game and it certainly put a lot of things into perspective.”

When Cambridge United visit the Kassam Stadium tomorrow, they will hardly recognise their opponents.

October’s defeat prompted Appleton to accelerate plans to reshape the squad.

Starters Tom Newey, Michael Raynes and Junior Brown did not feature in the league for the U’s again, while loanees Alex Jakubiak and Carlton Morris were also quickly released without playing another minute.

It may have been a watershed moment, but patchy results continued into the spring.

Little appeared to have changed when a 2-0 defeat at Burton Albion in February left United just four points above the bottom two.

Appleton promptly declared they had a 15-game season and while at the time it may have been met with cynicism outside the camp, the players have delivered.

If the Sky Bet League Two table began that weekend, the U’s would sit seventh.

The U’s boss said: “I had a group of players I felt I could trust, it was very different to the start of the season.

“I’m not really surprised (with the form), because I knew at some point they would kick in.

“There were performances by some of the players that had been here for most of the season that had pleased me.

“I just felt we had to get the right people in with them.

“Going forward there’s a nucleus of decent players and good young players.

“I think with the addition of three or four as good or better players, then who knows.”